Issue - meetings

To provide Members with an update on the progress of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update now it has progressed to Examination in Public stage and to seek approval to consult on proposed Main Modifications to the Local Plan Partial Update in order to make the Plan ‘sound’ and ready for formal adoption.

Cabinet received a report giving a comprehensive update on the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update as it progressed through the statutory Examination in Public.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment advised that the modifications focussed on clarifying:

·         the climate change and sustainable development policies,

·         that the housing and employment requirements from the adopted 2019 Plan remain unchanged; and

·         ensuring updated policy wording is both evidence based and deliverable.

He advised that additional changes responded directly to issues explored during the Examination, including flexible application of new climate policies, updated housing accessibility standards, and consistency with national guidance.

Members thanked the Officers involved for their work on this matter.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed changes to the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update, as set out in Appendix A and B, following Examination in Public in order to make the Plan sound be approved.

2.    That the Main Modifications as set out in Appendix A and B be approved and be subject to public consultation for 6 weeks, as directed by the Planning Inspector.

Cabinet received a report giving a comprehensive update on the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update as it progressed through the statutory Examination in Public.

Members were reminded that the Local Plan was the Council’s primary planning document, which set out the spatial strategy, development requirements and land use policies that guided growth, regeneration, infrastructure delivery and environmental protection over the plan period to 2031.  Maintaining an up-to-date Local Plan was essential to ensure that planning decisions remained robust, defensible, and aligned with both national policy and the Council’s corporate priorities.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment advised that the modifications, which  were necessary to ensure that the updated Plan met the legal and policy tests of soundness focussed on clarifying:

·         the climate change and sustainable development policies,

·         that the housing and employment requirements from the adopted 2019 Plan remain unchanged; and

·         ensuring updated policy wording is both evidence based and deliverable.

He advised that additional changes responded directly to issues explored during the Examination, including flexible application of new climate policies, updated housing accessibility standards, and consistency with national guidance.

Members thanked the Officers involved for their work on this matter which represented the final statutory stage required before the Inspector issued their binding report on adoption.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed changes to the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update, as set out in Appendix A and B, following Examination in Public in order to make the Plan sound be approved.

2.    That the Main Modifications as set out in Appendix A and B be approved and be subject to public consultation for 6 weeks, as directed by the Planning Inspector.